Washington D.C., Jan 9, 2013 / 02:03 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Reports in Iran indicate that a Christian pastor who was arrested on Christmas Day has been released, while a second pastor remains in prison for his religious beliefs. “Iran must not be allowed to persecute individuals because of their faith,” stressed Jordan Sekulow, executive director of the Washington, D.C.-based American Center for Law and Justice, which has been monitoring the plight of Christians in Iran. In a … [Read more...]

Lima, Peru, Jan 9, 2013 / 12:03 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Cardinal Juan Luis Cipriani, archbishop of Lima, Peru, said the role of the bishop is the lead people to Christ which includes taking a stand against widespread relativism in modern society. “The bishop cannot take the most comfortable road, because he has to always seek after Christ, unity with the Pope, and manifest it with his example and his words,” Cardinal Cipriani said on the Feast of the Epiphany on Jan. 6. “For … [Read more...]

Vatican City, Jan 9, 2013 / 09:11 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Ahead of the World Day of the Sick, Pope Benedict XVI expressed his closeness to those with illnesses and reaffirmed that Jesus Christ's sufferings give meaning to their own. “You are not alone, separated, abandoned or useless. You have been called by Christ and are his living and transparent image,” said the Pope, quoting Pope Paul VI's words from the Second Vatican Council. The 21st World Day of the Sick will be … [Read more...]

Paris, France, Jan 9, 2013 / 04:02 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Supporters of traditional marriage expect hundreds of thousands of marchers to turn out for an upcoming national rally in opposition to President Francois Hollande's “marriage for all” proposal. Set to go before France's parliament Jan. 29, the draft law proposes to redefine marriage as a union “contracted between two persons of different sex or of the same sex.” The law would also allow … [Read more...]

Grand Rapids, Mich., Jan 9, 2013 / 02:04 am (CNA).- A national ad campaign that promotes adoption as an alternative to abortion has reached hundreds of women and has helped many of them arrange adoptions for their babies. The campaign, organized by the Austin, Texas-based Heroic Media in partnership with the Michigan-based Bethany Christian Services, aired 45 spots over a four-week period on the Oxygen Network during the reality TV show “I’m Having Their Baby.” The ads … [Read more...]

Orlando, Fla., Jan 9, 2013 / 12:03 am (CNA).- The Seek 2013 gathering brought thousands of Catholic college students to Orlando, Florida's Swan and Dolphin Hotel Jan. 2-6, encouraging attendees to search for what God wants for them in life.“It’s exciting to see so many people who care about their faith who love Jesus and want to follow Jesus and love the Church,” Jeremy Rivera, national director of marketing and communications for the Fellowship of Catholic University … [Read more...]

Los Angeles, Calif., Jan 8, 2013 / 05:05 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- The personnel files of priests accused of sexual abuse will soon be released by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, cooperating with county judge Emilie Elias' order that the files be released without editing. “The Archdiocese will abide by Judge Elias's decision. We are now working with all parties involved to facilitate the release of the documents as promptly as possible,” said a Jan. 7 statement from the … [Read more...]